Why Geraldo Doesn’t Think South Carolina Officer Will Be Found Guilty of Murder

Fox News contributor Geraldo Rivera on Friday morning said that new dashcam footage that shows Walter Scott running away from his car at a traffic stop should clear South Carolina police officer Michael Thomas Slager of the murder charge. “I’m extremely glad that they released the dash cam video because it gives context to the event. However horrific and tragic and outrageous the shooting in the back is, it shows that it started as a righteous traffic stop,” Rivera said on “Fox and Friends.” Rivera said that Scott “was acting very hinky, very edgy” and that he allegedly struggled with Slager after the officer used his stun gun. “So, up until that point the cop, with his adrenaline pumping, now he’s been in a physical tussle, now the perpetrator has reached for the taser, allegedly. Now it gives you the context of his blood boiling,” Rivera said. “He has done everything professional and now … this civilian has dared to physically have this altercation with the officer.” “Put that in the officer’s head now. I think it saves him from the murder rap,” Rivera said. “Even though you see him shooting him in the back dead?” “Fox and Friends” co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck jumped in to ask. “That’s an excellent point,” Rivera responded. “This is a horrible, horrible shooting. But there was no premeditation. This is manslaughter.” Do you agree with Geraldo’s rationalization?